Six horses who caught the eye in defeat at Cheltenham’s November Meeting

Race: Second in the

An unlucky loser? Young Lucy’s performance should be upgraded given she was short of room turning for home, and she made a mistake at the last before staying on strongly. She also clocked the highest Finishing Speed Percentage, according to the RaceiQ data. 

The Irish raider attracted some support beforehand, and a better effort was clearly expected on her first hurdles outing for over a year.  

Tony Martin’s charge had regressed on the Flat over the past six months, but it was encouraging to see her produce a career best here, and this effort indicates she will win a race over obstacles soon. 

This was also her first start over 2m5f, and I expect connections will persevere over similar trips this season. 

Race: Second in the

James Owen has his team in flying form and appears to have improved since joining his yard in May. 

The dual-purpose performer bolted up on his hurdling debut in July, and the tacky ground was blamed for his disappointing effort on his first handicap outing two starts ago where he was a fancied contender. 

However, this was a much-improved performance returning to quicker ground and the front three pulled nicely clear of the third in a race that should work out well. 

Cavern Club got a shade worked up beforehand, and raced a shade keenly in first-time cheekpieces, so there’s clearly a bit to work on. His effort can therefore be upgraded, and it will hopefully pay to follow him this season. 

Race:  Fourth in the

Madara stayed on to finish a never-nearer fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, his first start for Dan Skelton, and on this evidence, he looks capable of landing another nice prize this season. 

He was given plenty to do having been held up, but stayed on nicely under hands and heels, and the RaceiQ data shows he was the fastest finisher inside the final furlong. 

The French recruit developed into a useful performer for Sophie Leech last season, and he caught the eye on a couple of starts on the Old Course at before landing a decent handicap on the New Course (over an extended two miles where he was noticeably strong at the finish). 

That form has worked out well, and the five-year-old won a valuable handicap at Leopardstown with plenty to spare next time out off a rating of 133. 

A bad mistake three out hindered his chance in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (Old Course), and he’s a best-priced 14-1 for that race at next year’s Cheltenham Festival. 

However, it’s the 20-1 available with Unibet for the TrustATrader Plate that catches the eye, and it's worth investing at those odds. Rather typically, he was available at 40-1 while I was writing this column, but those chunky odds still appeal.

Leech said last season that Madara would be better over further than two miles, and that he prefers the Old Course, so the Plate should provide the optimum test. 

It is also noteworthy the Skelton instantly stepped Madara back up in trip, and that hopefully hints he’ll be campaigned over further than two miles this season. His finishing effort here also suggests that will suit.

He’s still only five, too, and should have further improvement to offer for his new yard.  

Race: Fifth in the

If you’ve never seen Fugitif in the flesh, then it’s worth having a look at him in the parade ring – he is huge! 

Given his demeanour, it’s no surprise he has improved plenty for his seasonal debut over the past couple of years, and his exertions here suggest that will be the case again. He was also weak in the market beforehand on his first outing since another wind op over the summer. 

Richard Hobson’s stable star travelled nicely into contention before his effort petered out, and he used this contest as a prep run before winning the December Gold Cup last year. 

That £125,000 contest on December 14 is certain to be on the agenda next, and he will hold strong claims of a repeat victory. No prices are available yet, but he will be worth supporting, especially as his rating has crept back down since that win, and he’s handicapped to strike again. 

Race: Fifth in the

Deep Cave has been sent off at huge odds on his first two starts since joining Christian Williams but is one to follow based on this eye-catching effort. 

The six-year-old showed a useful level of form two seasons ago when trained by Henry de Bromhead and was good enough to finish a close fifth in a Grade One at Leopardstown. 

He also produced some decent form in France having scored over hurdles and fences before returning to Britain and took a step forward here after a lacklustre effort following an absence at Cheltenham in October. 

He was outpaced at a crucial stage before staying on and appeared to finish with running left in him. There’s a chance he could relish a stamina test on softer ground, despite his pedigree not suggesting that. 

He’s also a full brother to JPR One, plus has age on his side, so it will be interesting to see how he’s campaigned this season, and any market support before an outing may be the time to support him.  

Race: Second in the

This youngster shaped with bundles of promise last season and is held in high regard by the Dan Skelton team who suggested he would develop into an improved performer this season, and their belief was backed up with this brilliant effort in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle. 

The five-year-old made smooth headway from the rear of the field and found only Burdett Road, who had the run of the race and a fitness edge, too good. The winner is clearly a few pounds ahead of the handicapper and I expect this form to work out well over the coming months. 

Skelton advised afterwards that the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on December 21 is the next aim, while the Betfair Hurdle is another potential target. 

His charge is a best-priced 12-1 for the Coral Cup, and 14-1 with 888Sport plus the sponsors for the William Hill County Hurdle, and Skelton also said that one of those contests would be on the agenda at the Cheltenham Festival, so I wouldn’t put you off backing him for both. 

One small concern is that he’s now finished a close second on his past four starts, and he did appear a shade reluctant to go past the winner both here and at Sandown in April. However, there’s no doubting his ability, and connections may reach for headgear soon. 

will, of course, go up a few pounds for this effort, but this progressive hurdler is surely capable of winning a nice prize this season.